Liberal Arts Concentrations

In addition to declaring a studio major and completing the required 42 Liberal Arts credits needed to graduate, all RISD students have the option of choosing a concentration in one of three Liberal Arts departments: History of Art and Visual Culture (HAVC); History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences (HPSS); or Literary Arts and Studies (LAS).

Undergraduate HAVC Concentration

The 27-credit undergraduate concentration in the History of Art and Visual Culture is designed for students who wish to complement a studio major with in-depth studies in art history, theory, criticism and museum studies. The undergraduate HAVC concentration can be completed as part of a typical 4- or 5-year degree program. All RISD BFA candidates may opt to add this concentration to their program of study.

Learning Outcomes

Through written and spoken communication, concentrators are
able to demonstrate:

• knowledge of the world visual traditions from prehistory,
classical, modern and contemporary eras

Graduate HAVC Concentration

The graduate concentration in the History of Art and Visual Culture offers the opportunity to augment an MFA with a 15-credit art history concentration. Since knowledge of the histories and theories of art and visual culture is increasingly demanded of artists and designers, HAVC has designed this concentration to enable students pursuing an MA, MArch, MDes, MFA, MID, MLA or MAT to enter teaching careers in which they are expected to teach history and theory as well as studio classes.

The concentration offers a structured curriculum in the history, theory and criticism of Western art, as well as that of cultures throughout the world. These studies are enriched by ready access to the collections of the RISD Museum and the experience of its curatorial staff. Through the concentration, you may choose to focus on the history and theory of your particular studio discipline.

Any Liberal Arts graduate degree requirements and certain graduate courses offered within the individual programs may be incorporated in the credits necessary to complete the concentration. You are also required to undertake a six-credit thesis project under the supervision of a HAVC faculty member.

All master's degree candidates are eligible to add this concentration to their program of study, but doing so generally requires adding a semester and a Wintersession beyond the standard length of most graduate degree programs.

to be selected based on a study plan to be discussed and developed with the HAVC Concentration Coordinator

Museum Fellows Program

Under the adept leadership of Professor Mary Bergstein, RISD’s HAVC Concentration is a popular complement to studio majors, enabling students to gain a broader and deeper perspective on global cultural developments, genres and eras throughout history. And for many undergraduates, these studies serve as a springboard to further graduate study.

In conjunction with the RISD Museum of Art, HAVC allows selected concentrators to participate in the Museum Fellows program, which offers a firsthand look at the profession of museum curatorship, along with a rare level of access to the museum’s diverse collections.

Museum Fellows complete a semester-long apprenticeship with a specific curatorial department at the RISD Museum. The positions carry course credit, require significant time commitments and involve serious engagement in the real work of curators and conservators.

The Museum Fellows program enables both undergraduate and graduate students to experience the behind-the-scenes workings of a significant art museum while also learning the finer points of handling sensitive and valuable art objects.